The Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers (formerly the Carrier Vessel Future (CVF) project) are a two-ship class of aircraft carrier being developed for the Royal Navy. HMS Queen Elizabeth is expected to enter service in 2014, HMS Prince of Wales in 2016. The vessels will displace about 65,000 tonnes (full load), be 280 metres long and capable of carrying up to 50 aircraft.

The need to replace the ageing Invincible class aircraft carriers was confirmed by the 1998 Strategic Defence Review. From six contractors, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) selected Thales and BAE Systems in late 1999 to compete for the final contract. In September 2002 the MoD announced that the Royal Navy and RAF will operate the STOVL F-35B Lightning II variant and further that the carriers would take the form of large, conventional carriers, which will initially be adapted for STOVL operations. On 30 January 2003 the MoD announced that the Thales design had won the competition but that BAE Systems would operate as prime contractor. The two companies are now part of a "carrier alliance" with the MoD and other companies.

The contract for the vessels was announced on 25 July 2007 by the Secretary of State for Defence Des Browne, ending several years of delay over cost issues and British naval shipbuilding restructuring. The cost is estimated to be £3.9 billion. The contracts were officially signed 1 year later on 3 July 2008 after the creation of BVT Surface Fleet through the merger of BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions and VT Shipbuilding which was a requirement of the UK Government.


Possible configurations of the vessels were varied:


STOVL - F-35B Lightning II
Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) carriers would remove the need for costly steam catapults and arrestor gear (CATOBAR), and would also take advantage of the UK experience in STOVL technology. This is at the expense of aircraft range and payload capability (for an equal size CATOBAR carrier). However the difference in capability between an F-35B and F-35C is slight compared to the gulf in capability between the Harrier and, for example, the F/A-18.

STOBAR - Eurofighter Typhoon (Navalised)
Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) again removes the requirement for the expense of catapults but uses arrestor gear. In this way conventional aircraft (with modification) can be used. Any STOBAR design would most likely have used a navalised version of the Eurofighter Typhoon; i.e. strengthened landing gear, modified flight control system and inclusion of an arrestor hook suitable for carrier use. The advantages of this would be increased range, manoeuvrability, greater weapons stand-off and payload compared to a STOVL design and higher operating efficiency than a CATOBAR design.The BAE Systems study, carried out earlier this year, determined that the aircraft could be built to land on carriers without major difficulty and would be more cost-effective.[citation needed] Disadvantage only include lower stealth characteristics than the F-35.

CATOBAR - F-35C Lightning II - F/A-18E/F Super Hornet - Rafale M
A Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) CVF would have used catapults and arrestor cables and an angled flight deck with existing naval aircraft, most likely the F/A-18 or Rafale-M. This has the advantage of reducing technical risk for development of both the aircraft and carriers and offering maximum payload and range capabilities. There are disadvantages however, including higher operating costs and the minimal British involvement in development of the aircraft due to the "off-the-shelf" purchase.

"Hybrid"
A late BAE submission was a hybrid carrier, featuring a STOVL ski-jump with angled flight deck, catapults and arrestor cables. Advantages of this design include the ability to operate STOVL offensive aircraft and CATOBAR AEW aircraft (e.g. E-2 Hawkeye).

Aircraft and carrier format selection
On 17 January 2001 the UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for full participation in the Joint Strike Fighter programme, confirming the JSF as the FJCA. This gave the UK input into aircraft design and the choice between the Lockheed X-35 and Boeing X-32. On 26 October 2001 the DoD announced that Lockheed Martin had won the JSF contract.

The carriers, expected to remain in service for 50 years, are designed for, but not with, catapults and arrestor wires. The carrier is thus said to be "future proof", allowing it to operate a generation of CATOBAR aircraft beyond the F-35.

Im not sure about the aircraft carrier for fllight sim, but im staggered at the possible aircraft that may or may not be used on this thing. Im sure we here devised the V/TOL and proved it in combat against quite a few detractors. Yet its inferior to the F-18??? Or am i reading that wrong????

I just dont buy that, despite the fact the sea harrier is no more....maybe in range and top speed, but air to air i bet it would runs rings round the hornet. It did against just about everything the US had at the time and every thing the argentinians had.

And im guessing the typhoon wont be top of the list either

I know i shouldnt maybe comment on this here but i was quite shocked to read all this!